Snap-hook



n. J. DARKES.

SNAP HOOK. APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, I920.

1,350,787. Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

J J iii/ 1 6 PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID J. DARKES, OF FREIJEBICKSBUR-G, PENNSYLVANIA.

SNAP-HOOK.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pgttgnted Aug; 24, 1};2()

Application filed April 10, 1920. Serial No. 372,872.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Davin J. Danxns, a citizen of the Jnited tates, residing at Fredericksburg, in the county of Lebanon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snap-Hooks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in snap hooks, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a spring tongue provided with means whereby said tongue is normally held against opening movement whereby the accidental disengagement of the hook from applied position is eliminated.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved snap hook whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in section of a snap hook con structed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in bottom plan and partly in section of the snap hook as illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the spring tongue herein embodied detached.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, S denotes a snap hook of a conventional type including the shank 1 provided at one end with an attaching loop 2 and at its opposite end with an inwardly disposed hook or bill 3. Suitably anchored to the end portion of the shank 1 adjacent the loop 2 is an end portion of a spring tongue 4: and the opposite end portion of said tongue 4 is adapted to have contact with the inner face of the free end portion of the bill or hook 3.

It often occurs that the tongue 4:, in the ordinary type of snap hook, permits the snap to he accidentally disengaged and particularly when the snap is employed in connection with a halter and in which use, it

often occurs that a horse or other stock will rub the snap loose or accidentally disengage the snap by rubbing the same against the manger.

With my improved snap hook, this accidental disengagement is prevented and this advantageous result is accomplished by having the free end portion of the tongue I continued by an extension or arm 5 substantially at right angles to the tongue 4 proper and of a length to extend through a slot 6 suitably positioned in the shank 1. I find it of advantage to produce the extension or arm 5 by initially forming the tongue 4 of an extended length and flexing or bending the free end portion at right angles to provide the extension or arm 5 and at the same time skewing or turning said extension or arm 5 about 90 so that the sideor flat faces of the extension or arm 5 will be disposed in a direction longitudinally of the tongue 4. The outer longitudinal marginal portion of the extension or arm 5 at its free end is reduced in width to provide a shoulder 7 which underlies and contacts with the inner face of the shank 1 in advance of the slot 6 when the tongue proper is substantially in contact with the inner face of the free end portion of the hook or bill 3. When it is desired to apply or disengage the snap, it is only necessary to force the free or outer end portion of the extension or arm 5 inwardly or in a direction toward the loop 2 whereupon the arm or extension 5 will assume a position to permit the same to readily pass through the slot 6 upon imparting requisite pressure upon the free end portion of the tongue 4.

In order to facilitate the requisite release of the extension or arm 5, I find it of advantage to provide the free end portion of said extension or arm 5, at a point beyond the shank 1 of the snap hook S with the enlargement or head 8 which is adapted to be engaged by the digit of a hand.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a snap hoop constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also-be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed. 1

I claim The combination with a snap hook including a shank, a bill and a spring tongue secured to the shank and normally engaging the free end portion of the bill; a laterally disposed arm carried by the free'end portion of the spring tongue, said arm being flat and having its side faces disposed in a direction longitudinally of the spring tongue, said arm being reduced in width to provide a shoulder in its outer longitudinal marginal portion. inwardly of the outer end of said arm, the shank of the snap hook being provided with a slot through which the arm extends, said slot extending longitudinally ofthe shank, the shoulder of the arm of the spring tongue contacting with the inner face ofthe shank adjacent the outer end of the slot to normally hold the spring tongue against inward movement, said slot being of a length in excess of the width of the arm to permit inward movement of the arm to free the shoulder from the shank and to permit said arm to have free endwise movement'through the slot;

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DAVID J. DARKES. 

